Cloud computing use growing among small firms

Posted by Paul Sells

Small companies are likely to increase their use of cloud computing in the coming 12 months, with half expected to have deployed the technology by 2011, research has suggested.

In news which may interest IT outsourcing for small business users, a poll carried out by Easynet Connect found that the number of small firms expecting to use cloud computing within 12 months grew from 22 per cent at the end of 2008 to 50 per cent last month.

Furthermore, the number predicting they will use the technology within five years rose from 47 per cent in 2008 to 73 per cent by the end of last year.

The number of small companies claiming they will never use cloud computing fell from 53 per cent to 27 per cent.

Chris Stening, managing director of Easynet Connect, said: "Cloud computing has been on the business radar for some time and our report proves that we are at the tipping point for mass adoption amongst small and medium-sized businesses."

A recent report from BT Global Services suggested that chief information officers need to develop a greater understanding of the benefits of cloud computing.